Why Exercise?
Physical activity is definitely important for people with diabetes. Exercise helps control blood sugar, blood pressure, and weight. It also increases blood circulation, which in turn can help prevent problems with your heart and nerves.

How Do I Get Started?
First and foremost, talk over your fitness plans with your doctor. Many complications from diabetes will affect the kinds of exercise you can do, as well as the intensity level. If you have foot problems, your doctor may prohibit you from jogging or attending aerobics classes. Your doctor may also advise against intense workouts such as heavy weightlifting, which could cause retinal detachment in patients with diabetic eye problems. Equally important, your doctor can help you determine how the amount of insulin you need will change due to your new fitness routine.

What Exercises Should I Do?
It’s a good idea to do exercises that work both the cardiovascular system and your body’s musculature. In other words, cardio and strength training make the best combination. For cardio, you can do virtually any activity under the sun so long as your doctor approves: walking, swimming, dancing, hiking, and team sports will get your heart pumping. For strength training, gentle stretching, hand weights, and weight machines can help you maintain and increase muscle mass. And the more muscle you have, the more calories you’ll burn!

How Often Should I Exercise?
Try to do some sort of physical activity every day, even if it’s just a short walk or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Many experts believe that 30 minutes of exercise, 5 days a week or more is the optimum amount of activity. If you can’t do 30 minutes, start out with a shorter duration and add on minutes every week until you reach your goal.

How Can I Exercise Safely?
Follow these guidelines to stay safe while you work out:

1. Monitor your blood sugar carefully. If it is below 100 before you work out, have a snack. If your blood sugar is above 300, wait until it drops to work out. Exercise could push levels even higher, which could be dangerous.
2. Talk with your doctor about the correct insulin dosage and timing for your fitness routine.
3. Wear high-quality shoes and socks that fit properly, and check your feet after each workout for blisters or other problems.
4. Drink lots of liquids during a workout, especially water.
5. Wear a medical ID tag and keep glucose tablets with you just in case.
6. Don’t push yourself too hard. If you feel dizzy, nauseous, heart palpitations or chest pain, or pain in your arm or jaw, stop what you’re doing. If the symptoms don’t pass in 15 minutes, seek help right away.

For your active and on-the-go lifestyle, American Diabetes Wholesale offers several products to boost your energy and deliver needed nutrition—in a manner that’s safe for people with diabetes.

Lifexpand Lyte’N Go Chewable Electrolyte Supplements
Do you play sports or enjoy intense workouts? If so, you’ve probably tried electrolyte-replacing sports drinks. The problem with those drinks? Sugar, calories, and carbohydrates—not to mention bloating caused by excess liquid. Next time, try Lifexpand Lyte’N Go Chewable Electrolyte Supplements. Each portable packet of two chewy tablets replaces electrolytes and minerals that are lost through perspiration. Lyte’N Go tablets help prevent dehydration and give you an energy boost to keep up with whatever physical challenge you set for yourself. Each tablet is sugar-free, low-carb, and has a great fruit flavor.

B-Clear Diabetic Energy Drink
Sometimes when you’re working out, though, you do want an energy drink to replace lost water in your body. B-Clear Diabetic Energy Drink is an all-natural, caffeine-free way to rehydrate and restore your energy levels. B-Clear drinks are sugar-free and contain up to 4 times the amount of electrolytes of regular sports drinks, without the unneeded calories. Just dissolve each effervescent packet in a glass of water and you’re ready to go! And for women, try the B-Clear Diabetic Energy Drink Woman’s Formula.

Multi-betic Multi-Vitamin, Mineral, Antioxidant, and Supplement
For a daily use, American Diabetes Wholesale recommends Multi-betic Multi-Vitamin, Mineral, Antioxidant, and Supplement to round out your nutritional needs. Created especially for people with diabetes, these multi-vitamins are packed with healthful ingredients such as alpha lipoic acid, lutein, and lycopene. One dose supports the functioning of your body’s vision, nerves, and blood sugar levels continuously for 24 hours.

Jarrow Formulas Glycemic Balance Meal Replacements
When life gets hectic, don’t skip meals! That can spell disaster for people with diabetes. Instead, have a delicious, nutritious meal replacement drink to keep your motor up and running. Jarrow Formulas Glycemic Balance Meal Replacements are available in strawberry and creamy vanilla. Each serving is chock full of protein, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, such as: glutamine, fenugreek, flax seeds, alpha lipoic acid, and more. Add Glycemic Balance to water, milk, soy milk, or rice milk for a smooth and tasty drink that supports blood sugar balance, aids weight management, and curbs food cravings.

ExtendBars
An ExtendBars is another great way to curb those munchies between meals, at bedtime, or before a workout. These delicious bars help regulate your blood sugar for up to 9 hours, reducing spikes and crashes. These low-fat, high-fiber bars are available in 5 flavors: Apple Cinnamon Delight, Chocolate Delight, Mixed Berry Delight, Peanut Delight, and Peanut Butter Chocolate Delight.

Oriental-Style Sea Scallops

Serves: 6

Nutrition Information Per Serving:
calories 330, protein 20 g, carbohydrate 49 g, fat 6 g, cholesterol 26 mg, sodium 276 mg.

Food Exchange: 2 meat, 2 1/2 starch, 1 vegetable.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons sesame or vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cups broccoli flowerets
• 1 cup thinly-sliced onion
• 1 pound sea scallops
• 3 cups thinly sliced napa cabbage or bok choy
• 2 cups snow peas, ends trimmed
• 1 cup sliced shiitake or button mushrooms
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons ground star anise (see Note)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
• 2 to 3 teaspoons light soy sauce
• 1/4 cup cold water
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 to 3 tablespoons Equal® Spoonful*
• 4 cups hot cooked rice

Preparation:

1. Heat oil in wok or large skillet. Cook and stir broccoli and onion 3 to 4 minutes. Add scallops, cabbage, snow peas, mushrooms, garlic, anise and coriander. Cook and stir 2 to 3 minutes.
2. Add chicken broth, vinegar and soy sauce. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, about 5 minutes or until scallops are cooked and vegetables are tender.
3. Combine cold water and cornstarch. Stir cornstarch mixture into boiling mixture. Boil, stirring constantly, until thickened. Remove from heat; let stand 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in Equal®. Serve over rice.

* May substitute 3 to 4 packets Equal sweetener

Note: You can substitute 2 teaspoons five-spice powder for the star anise and coriander. Amounts of vinegar and soy sauce may need to be adjusted to taste.

Visit www.CooksRecipes.com for many more delicious diabetic recipes.
Recipe provided courtesy of Merisant Corporation ® and the NutraSweet Company, makers of Equal®